Removing stock antennas

Discussion in 'CB Radio Forum' started by Air Cooled, Jun 27, 2018.

  1. Jun 27, 2018 #1
    Air Cooled

    Air Cooled Road Train Member

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    quick question. Just got a 2019 Mack Anthem with dual fiberglass antennas. I want to remove them both and use my own coax and antenna on the grab bar behind the cab. When I remove the passenger side stock antenna, my radio reception is poor. Is this the radio antenna? Do I have to leave it on or can I do something about it? I’d rather have them both off because I go to a lot of construction sites in the mountains and those fiberglass whips don’t stand a chance up there. Plus, it would be a cleaner look with just one and not mismatched.
     
    Air Cooled, Jun 27, 2018
    Air Cooled, Jun 27, 2018
    #1
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  3. Jun 27, 2018 #2
    SixShooterTransport

    SixShooterTransport Light Load Member

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    Can’t say for sure on your Mack, but on my Volvo the driver’s side was for the CB and the passenger side was for the radio and tv. Manufacturers don’t typically do a stock dual CB antenna setup.

    I would suggest calling a Mack shop. Should be a simple question for them to answer.
     
    SixShooterTransport, Jun 27, 2018
    SixShooterTransport, Jun 27, 2018
    #2
  4. Jun 28, 2018 #3
    J Rich

    J Rich Medium Load Member

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    Mack typically does co-phase coax. I have not been in a new Anthem, so that's not a 100% guaranty. I would pull the antennas off and see if the am/fm radio still receives.

    As far as mounting to the rear grab bar. I'm fairly certain that you will need to run a ground strap from the mount to the frame.

    In all the Mack's that I've had I always used 4' Francis antennas in the stock location. I've never broke a Francis like firestick, or stock antennas. It's a good idea to glue the caps on the Francis the trees will snatch those off and they are hard to find.
     
    J Rich, Jun 28, 2018
    J Rich, Jun 28, 2018
    #3
  5. Jun 28, 2018 #4
    Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    Leave it alone, pull your new coax and put the antenna where you want. You won't effect the CB with it left alone.

    Mack like everyone else took the steps to cheapen the manufacturing process by using these all in one duplexers which work ... sort of for the radio but suck for the CB.
     
    Ridgeline, Jun 28, 2018
    Ridgeline, Jun 28, 2018
    #4
    slim6596 Thanks this.
  7. Jun 28, 2018 #5
    Air Cooled

    Air Cooled Road Train Member

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    Thank you for the replies. I had a Pinnacle before and the passenger antenna controlled the am/fm. Sounds wise to just leave it alone. I’d just run it considering it comes with a cobra 29 but the antenna light comes one and the SWR is high. In my pinnacle I used my Wilson 2k and lmr-240 to get my SWR low. I suppose I’ll just do that again and mount it behind the cab.
     
    Air Cooled, Jun 28, 2018
    Air Cooled, Jun 28, 2018
    #5
  8. Jun 28, 2018 #6
    J Rich

    J Rich Medium Load Member

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    I agree with leaving it alone. Mack most have just changed to the AM/FM using the cb antenna. My 2015 square nose Pinnacle and 2015 Granite had a short roof mounted antenna for the AM/FM radio.
     
    J Rich, Jun 28, 2018
    J Rich, Jun 28, 2018
    #6
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